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From left, Jurnee Smollett (Samantha), Nate Parker (Henry Lowe), and Denzel Whitaker (James Farmer Jr.) star in Denzel Washington's movie “The Great Debaters.”

Ches. HS Grad In "The Great Debaters" To Appear Locally

 
 Nate Parker, a native of Hampton Roads who portrayed the winning debater Henry Lowe in the movie “The Great Debaters” , will participate in a panel discussion of the movie, answer audience questions and meet and greet fans on May 17 in Newport News.
A screening of the movie begins at 1 p.m., followed by the panel discussion, 3-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at Main Street Library. Parker will meet with youths, 10-11 a.m., May 17, at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, 629 Hampton Ave., Newport News; and with library patrons, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., May 17, at the Pearl Bailey Library. Library events are free and open to the public.
  The movie was inspired by the real-life story of the all-black Wiley College debate team that was invited to compete against white-college champions in the early 1930s. The PG-13 movie also starred Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker. Directed by Denzel Washington and produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films, it was released on Dec. 25, 2007.
  Also participating in the library’s panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session are Jeffrey Porro, the movie’s story writer, and Ken Tolson, the grandson of Melvin Tolson, who was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the movie.
   Deon Garner, debate coach at Warwick High School, will serve as moderator. DVDs of “The Great Debaters” will be given away in a drawing following the panel discussion.

Posted April 30, 2008

  “The Great Debaters” Film Screening and Panel Discussion is sponsored by the Newport News Public Library System’s Herbert H. Neisser Fund. This is the third event in the Neisser Speaker Series, which included the American Girl event in June 2007 and Tech It Out! in April 2008.
   For more information on Newport News Public Library System programs, please call 757-247-8875 or visit www.nngov.com/library.

More about Nate Parker

   Born in Norfolk, Nate Parker and his family moved several times with the Air Force before Parker returned to the Hampton Roads area for high school. He graduated from Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake in 1999 then attended college on a wrestling scholarship.  He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with academic honors and an MIS in graphic design.
   Parker appeared in several films before landing a lead role in “The Great Debaters,” including “Cruel World,” “Dirty,” “Rome and Jewel,” “PDR” and “Tunnel Rats.” His upcoming films include “Felon,” “The Secret Life of Bees” and “Blood Done Sign My Name.” He also has appeared as a guest star on the television programs “Cold Case” and “The Unit.”

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